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Friday, December 30, 2011

2012

Like most of you, with the advent of the new year I have goals on my mind.

This blog is just over a year old and I've been changing it up a little bit lately. I'm blogging less (it was starting to feel like a job that paid me nothing. I'm trying to take it back into hobby-that-I-enjoy territory) but I'm also trying to make sure that what I DO share here is of a higher quality. No more blogging just for the sake of getting something up because AGH it's a weekday and I have to post!

Janssen and I were g-chatting the other day and she said something that has been on my brain ever since-

fashion BLOGS are really useful

but how long does ONE fashionblog continue to be useful?

She is so very wise, that Janssen.

I've been unsubscribing from quite a few fashion blogs lately. A new post would come up in my reader and I'd go, "Yup. That looks like something she would wear." And then I'd move on. Blogs that I once found incredibly inspiring are feeling a bit stale.

I really don't want to fall into that rut with my readers. Here's the thing- I DO blog for myself. Fashion blogging has made me think of my wardrobe in a whole different way and I am much happier with my personal style now (though I think it will always be a work in progress).

But I also blog for you. I get wonderful e-mails about how I've helped girls out of their post-baby shlump or showed them how they could wear the boots their in-laws got them for Christmas. The e-mails I got after the 21 Day Challenge occasionally made me cry. I thought it would just be a fun little thing to do with you guys but there were some women who really needed that push and it made a huge difference in how they felt about themselves. It made me feel like I was operating a worthwhile corner of the internet over here.

So here's the big question: how can this blog be useful to you in 2012? I have some things in mind that I'll be doing for myself but what would you like to see?

Can I be totally honest? I really hope this doesn't come across in a rude/offensive way, because I do like your style and I do enjoy your outfit posts, but I don't read your blog because of the fashion. I read it because I like you and I think you're funny and your posts are such a nice break from the "my life is so pretty and styled and perfect and look how cute I am!" blogs that tend to drive me up the wall. I like that you're real, and fun, and down to earth, and I always come away from your blog in a better mood. So honestly? I, for one, don't know if I care much about content--I just like your writing and your attitude and stuff. But if I must pick something, content-wise, I especially enjoy seeing things you've sewn for yourself--those are my favorite posts.

Also, I think I need to comment more. I'm realizing now that I've only commented on your blog maybe 2 or 3 times before, so I hope I don't sound like a total wacko. But we emailed back and forth that one time, so that makes us BFFs, right? ;-)

But I totally know what you mean. I've unsubscribed from so many fashion blogs that I only have a handful left in my reader right now, and I don't really get inspired by them anyway (like you said, they just continue to wear predictable outfits). Plus, seeing others bloggers' excessive shopping and the peer pressure to own the latest trends has really gotten to me and I just want to distance myself from that (so easy to get sucked in!)

The few blogs that I have left (like yours!) I think are more "lifestyle" blogs and don't focus on BUY BUY BUY new clothes!!! but rather they share what's going on in their lives, new recipes they've tried, hair styling tips, house decorating, etc.

Honestly, I feel that I enjoy your blog more when it's not just fashion fashion fashion, but maybe that's only because of the change in my personal preferences. I don't think you necessarily need to be a "useful" fashion blog, just something that people will enjoy reading and getting to know you.

I love everything about your blog . As another reader stated, you aren't one of those girls that is prepetually {spelling} cheerful and perfect in every possible way. {although, I do think you're pretty perfect}.

I'd like to see more sewing projects and DIY projects. I love to sew, but I'm one of those gals that always needs a pattern. I'm not one to make stuff up. Guess I better work on that....

Hey Kayla, first thing: you're awesome and beautiful and you don't act like a know-it-all. These things make your blog a real treat. But if it is something you're genuinely asking for (which it sounds like you are), I will throw out a few things that I love most about my favorite blogs in general. Take it or leave it, you're still great.1. I love how-tos and tips.2. I love being pushed to think outside the box. the 21-day challenge was great for that, but if that's too stressful, even setting an example of, say, menswear, and then showing pictures and listing ideas of how to do it can get people really thinking outside the box. that's what I look for in reading the style/fashion side of blogs. I need to ALWAYS be pushed to shop my closet, since I get stuck in the same clothes over and over and over.3. My very favorite blogs are the ones where the blogger is willing to be very real, even transparent and vulnerable. There's always risk in that - risk that people won't like you, or that you'll have to open up and share something that is more comfortable when kept to yourself. But when one takes that risk, one can also make the biggest impact on others. Showing people that you are relatable to their own situations or closet challenges or kid-puke icky stories, or whatever, will make you a permanent fixture in some ladies' days.Thanks for all you do!

I just like seeing more of you. I don't really care if it's through clothes, posts about your kids or your church or anything else. I do have to say, I like your blog because you try to do a lot of things and you also let us know when things don't completely work out. I read a few sunny, happy blogs but I like a healthy dose of realism as well. So thanks for that!

Kayla...your blog has always been one of my first reads every day. love it. i do agree....the how-to's would be fun, and even just every day mommy stuff. i LOVED the gift guides you and janssen did....more of that kind of stuff, like shoes and clothes for an under 30 price would be awesome.

I liked the 21 day challenge (even though I didn't participate since we were in the process of moving) because I LOVE the idea of how to take things that are in my closet already and use them in new ways. I'm sure a lot of us don't have money to go spend on buying clothes and ideas of how to get out of our favorite outfit rut are helpful.

totally know what you mean about fashion blogs. some are just overkill - like, i don't need to see an outfit every day. anyway, i think my favorite posts of yours are the projects, especially the things you've sewn/created. it inspires me because part of me will always wish i was a seamstress.

also just had to say that i love reading your blog because you're hilarious and awesome.

I think the most important thing about your blog is that it makes YOU happy.

One of my personal woes with fashion blogs is that most of them feature super skinny people. What is featured on fashion blogs would look awful on me. I'm not huge, but I could probably eat most fashion bloggers for dinner and still be hungry. Maybe you can hire yourself a nice size 10 model to dress up! oooo! Yes! but only if that makes you happy!